Burnt out at work? Here's how to get excited about your job in 2017

Angela Rose

Dec 30, 2016

You’re cranky and irritable with customers and coworkers. You’re chronically late and use any excuse to step out early. You’ve lost interest in tasks that you used to find enjoyable. You’re always exhausted and have trouble sleeping. You’re definitely burnt out at work.

Job burnout is more common than you may think, especially in hospitality. Between long hours, physically demanding tasks, repetitive duties and the need to be constantly friendly and engaged, it’s no wonder so many hotel, resort, restaurant and bar workers find themselves dreading their next shift.

Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be this way. If you think you’ve been suffering from the symptoms of burnout, consider these suggestions to help you make 2017 the year you get excited about your job again.

1. Take care of yourself outside of work

Whether you work long hours or odd hours, you need time to rest and recharge if you want to avoid the feelings of job burnout. Do whatever you must do to get adequate sleep as often as possible, and don’t skimp on eating a healthy diet. Exercise regularly and don’t neglect to use your vacation time. A whopping 55 percent of American workers left vacation time unused in 2015, even though time away from the workplace might have helped them return to their positions renewed and reinvigorated.

2. Focus on what you enjoy

You love assigning rooms but you hate checking out guests. You like to balance the register but you dread ordering bar supplies. Every job comes with fun tasks and those that are less enjoyable. Focus on those you find the most challenging and fulfilling, and you’ll increase your feelings of job positivity. Sure, you must still tackle the tasks you dislike, but you can use that positivity to take a fresh look at them. Perhaps you can streamline your processes or make other changes to reduce the time you must spend on your least favorite parts of the job.

3. Take on a new project

When every day is the same, it’s easy to succumb to boredom and, subsequently, job burnout. Instead of giving in, ask your boss for a new project. It just might reinvigorate you by allowing you to use talents you were otherwise ignoring or even giving you the opportunity to develop valuable problem-solving or leadership skills. Bonus: You’ll show your manager you’re a promotable go-getter while you’re at it.

4. Pursue a lateral move

Have you been a server for years? Consider asking for a transfer to the kitchen. Have you learned everything there is to know about guest services at the front desk? You might now be a good fit in housekeeping? If you’re no longer challenged by your current position’s duties, ask your manager about a lateral transfer to a different department. If that’s not possible, she may still allow you to cross train for another role in your own. Either way, you’ll have the chance to learn more about the inner workings of the establishment. That’s valuable knowledge if your ultimate goal is to get into hotel or restaurant management.

5. If all else fails, start planning your exit

If you can’t get excited about your job no matter what you do, it may be time to move on. This doesn’t mean you need to terminate your employment immediately, however. Simply taking steps to start expanding your network, and spending some time updating your resume and browsing hospitality job listings, can give you a sense of control that will make the remaining time in your current position easier to endure.